used in the tilt-yard at Clarendon."

"I trow we shall know him again, sir. Holy saints! to think such
rascals should haunt so nigh us," the hostess was exclaiming. "Pity
for the poor goodman, Master Headley. A portly burgher was he,
friendly of tongue and free of purse. I well remember him when he
went forth on his way to Salisbury, little thinking, poor soul, what
was before him. And is he truly sped?"

"I tell thee, good woman, I saw him go down before three of their
pikes. What more could I do but drive my horse over the nearest
rogue who was rifling him?"

"If he were still alive--which Our Lady grant!--the knaves will hold
him to ransom," quoth the host, as he placed a tankard on the table.

"I am afraid he is past ransom," said the youth, shaking his head.
"But an if he be still in the rogues' hands and living, I will get
me on to his house in Cheapside, and arrange with his mother to find
the needful sum, as befits me, I being his heir and about to wed his
daughter. However, I shall do all that in me lies to get the poor
old seignior out of the hands of the rogues. Saints defend me!"

"The poor old seignior is much beholden to thee," said Master
Headley, advancing amid a clamour of exclamations from three or four
serving-men or grooms, one protesting that he thought his master was
with him, another that his horse ran away with him, one showing an
arm which was actually being bound up, and the youth declaring that
he rode off to bring help.